Lexical Summary
cheleb: fat, best, portions of fat
Original Word:חֶלֶב
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:cheleb
Pronunciation:KHEH-leb
Phonetic Spelling:(kheh'-leb)
KJV: X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow
NASB:fat, best, portions of fat, fat portions, finest, fatness, marrow
Word Origin:[from an unused root meaning to be fat]
1. fat, whether literally or figuratively
2. (hence) the richest or choice part
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
best, fatness, finest, grease, marrow
Or cheleb {khay'-leb}; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part -- X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionfat
NASB Translationbest (5), fat (74), fat portions (2), fatness (1), finest (2), finest* (1), marrow (1), portions of fat (5), unfeeling (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I.
Exodus 29:13 (Late Hebrew
id., fat, so Phoenician (probably); Aramaic
(also
diaphragm in Lexicons, see PS
1274) originally
diaphragm, midriff; Arabic
, including
midriff-fat, RS
Semitic i. 360); — absolute
Leviticus 3:16 40t.; construct
Genesis 45:18 21t.; suffix
Leviticus 3:9 6t.;
Leviticus 4:31,35,
Numbers 18:17,
Psalm 17:10,
Leviticus 8:16,25 (read plural noun Samaritan Di); plural
Leviticus 8:26 7t.; construct
Leviticus 6:5 4t.; suffix
Genesis 4:4 ( Samaritan Di, compare
Leviticus 8:16,25 above); —
fat of human bodyJudges 3:22 (covering intestines);2 Samuel 1:22 as smearing warrior's shield; of grossness of wickedJob 15:27;fat (of midriff) figurative of unreceptive heartPsalm 17:10, see alsoPsalm 73:7 (read for Hi Ew Ol De Che Bae and others);Psalm 119:70 i.e. their heart is as unresponsive as the midriff-fat near it.
fat of beasts:
(poetry)Deuteronomy 32:14 and in similePsalm 63:6 ("" ); soEzekiel 34:3 (but read , see ),Ezekiel 39:19 ( Co ).
especially as offered in sacrifice, singular, toExodus 23:18 (JE),1 Samuel 2:15,16;Exodus 29:13 (twice in verse);Exodus 29:22 (3 t. in verse);Leviticus 3:3 (twice in verse);Leviticus 3:4,9 (3 t. in verse);Leviticus 3:10,14 (twice in verse);Leviticus 3:15 23t. Leviticus;Numbers 18:17 (all P),Leviticus 17:6 (H),1 Samuel 15:22;Isaiah 1:11;Isaiah 43:24;Ezekiel 44:7,15; seeIsaiah 34:6 (twice in verse);Isaiah 34:7 of fat of Edomites slaughtered by 's sword (under figure of lambs, rams, and bulls); as eaten by (strange) godsDeuteronomy 32:38 (poetry), not to be eaten by menLeviticus 3:17;Leviticus 7:23,24 (twice in verse);Leviticus 7:25 (all P); also plural,fat parts orpiecesGenesis 4:4 (J)Leviticus 6:5 8t. Leviticus;1 Kings 8:64 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 7:7 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 29:35; 35:14.
choicest, best part of products of landGenesis 45:18 (E), specifically of oilNumbers 18:12 and wineNumbers 18:12; of corn and oilNumbers 18:29;Numbers 18:30;Numbers 18:32; also (poetry)Deuteronomy 32:14kidney-fat of wheat (i.e. the very choicest, compareIsaiah 34:6),Psalm 81:17,Psalm 147:14.
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope of Usageחֶלֶב appears about ninety-two times in the Old Testament and consistently points to the rich or choicest part of animal, produce, or land. Although most English versions render it “fat,” the term functions far beyond dietary fat: it denotes the best, the abundance, and the part devoted to the LORD.
Distribution across the Canon
• Pentateuch: intensive concentration in Leviticus and Numbers (over half the occurrences).
• Historical Books: Judges, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
• Wisdom and Poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs.
• Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zechariah.
The breadth shows that the concept of “fat/best” is woven into Israel’s worship, history, wisdom tradition, and prophetic message.
Cultic and Sacrificial Significance
1. Exclusively the LORD’s Portion
Leviticus 3:16: “All the fat belongs to the LORD.” By divine decree every peace, sin, or guilt offering reserved the fat of the entrails, kidneys, and liver lobe for the altar (Leviticus 3:9-10; 4:8-10; 7:3-5). The continual ascent of smoke symbolized that the choicest part ascended to God alone.
2. Dietary Prohibition for Israel
Leviticus 7:23-25 explicitly forbids eating animal fat on penalty of ostracism. The restriction underscored holiness: what belonged to God must not be used for common consumption.
3. Priestly Provision and Firstfruits
Numbers 18:29 commands: “You must present the best part to the LORD— the consecrated part of it.” The same word marks the “fat” of grain, wine, and oil (Numbers 18:12-13), establishing that whether animal or produce, the premium portion is holy.
4. Continuity in Temple Worship
Ezekiel’s vision of a restored temple retains the practice (Ezekiel 44:15-31), indicating enduring theological weight rather than an obsolete ritual detail.
Symbol of Abundance and Blessing
1. Fertility of the Land
Genesis 45:18: “I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.” Here חֶלֶב pictures agricultural bounty, later echoed inNumbers 13:20;Deuteronomy 32:14.
2. Satisfaction for the Righteous
Psalm 63:5: “My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.” Spiritual communion is portrayed through the richest fare.
3. Peace in the Nation
Psalm 147:14: “He makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest wheat.” Peace and provision flow together: abundance is covenant blessing (cf.Isaiah 55:2).
Metaphorical Warnings
1. Spiritual Insensitivity
Psalm 119:70: “Their hearts are calloused with fat, but I delight in Your law.” Fat becomes a metaphor for moral dullness—excess leading to apathy.
2. Prosperity Breeding Rebellion
Deuteronomy 32:15: “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked… he abandoned the God who made him.” When blessing is misused, it fosters pride and apostasy.
3. Prophetic Judgment
Isaiah 34:6;Ezekiel 39:19 employ sacrificial imagery—armies judged become “fat” for birds and beasts—signaling total defeat under God’s wrath.
Theological and Christological Reflections
• Holiness and Exclusivity: The reserved fat dramatizes God’s right to the best. This anticipates the call inRomans 12:1 to present bodies as a living sacrifice—the whole person, not leftovers, belongs to the LORD.
• Consuming Fire: Fat fuels the altar flame (Leviticus 6:12-13).Hebrews 12:29 sees God Himself as “a consuming fire,” receiving wholehearted devotion.
• Typology of Christ: Jesus is the perfect offering in whom the “fullness” dwells (Colossians 1:19). His entire being—spirit, soul, body—was given without reserve, fulfilling the principle that the choicest belongs to God.
Practical Ministry Applications
• Stewardship: Believers are urged to give God the “first and best,” whether time, resources, or abilities (Proverbs 3:9).
• Worship: The sacrificial principle still governs corporate worship—quality over convenience, sincerity over formality.
• Discipleship: Pastors warn against the dulling effect of material excess; prosperity should deepen gratitude, not inflate pride.
• Missions and Mercy: As the fat once kept the altar fire burning, so the best of the church’s resources rightly fuels gospel advance and care for the needy.
Summary
חֶלֶב embodies a dual message: abundant blessing from God and the demand that the best return to Him. Whether describing literal animal fat, the richest produce, or metaphorical excess, Scripture unites in declaring that the LORD both grants and deserves the choicest portion. The church today, living under the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, is summoned to the same principle—offering God nothing less than wholehearted, premium devotion.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּחֶלְבֵ֧י בְּחֶלְבּ֑וֹ בחלבו בחלבי הַ֣חֲלָבִ֔ים הַחֲלָבִ֑ים הַחֲלָבִ֖ים הַחֲלָבִֽים׃ הַחֲלָבִים֙ הַחֵ֔לֶב הַחֵ֖לֶב הַחֵ֙לֶב֙ הַחֵ֣לֶב הַחֵ֣לֶב ׀ הַחֵ֤לֶב הַחֵ֨לֶב הַחֵלֶב֒ הַחֵלֶב֮ החלב החלבים החלבים׃ וְהַחֲלָבִ֖ים וְחֵ֣לֶב וְחֵ֤לֶב וְחֵ֥לֶב וּמֵֽחֶלְבֵהֶ֑ן והחלבים וחלב ומחלבהן חֵ֔לֶב חֵ֖לֶב חֵ֛לֶב חֵ֜לֶב חֵ֣לֶב חֵ֤לֶב חֵ֥לֶב חֵ֨לֶב חֵֽלֶב־ חֵלֶב֮ חֶלְבְּהֶ֑ן חֶלְבֵ֣י חֶלְבֵ֥י חֶלְבָּ֣ה חֶלְבָּ֣הּ חֶלְבָּ֣ם חֶלְבָּ֥מוֹ חֶלְבּ֔וֹ חֶלְבּ֖וֹ חֶלְבּוֹ֙ חלב חלב־ חלבה חלבהן חלבו חלבי חלבם חלבמו כְּחֵ֖לֶב כַּחֵ֣לֶב כחלב מֵחֵ֔לֶב מֵחֵ֖לֶב מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙ מֵחֵ֣לֶב מֵחֵ֥לֶב מחלב bə·ḥel·ḇê bə·ḥel·bōw bechelBo bechelVei bəḥelḇê bəḥelbōw chelBah chelBam chelBamov chelbeHen chelBo Chelev chelVei ha·ḥă·lā·ḇîm ha·ḥê·leḇ hachalaVim hacheLev haḥălāḇîm haḥêleḇ ḥê·leḇ ḥê·leḇ- ḥel·bā·mōw ḥel·bāh ḥel·bām ḥel·ḇê ḥel·bə·hen ḥel·bōw ḥelbāh ḥelbām ḥelbāmōw ḥelḇê ḥelbəhen ḥelbōw ḥêleḇ ḥêleḇ- ka·ḥê·leḇ kaChelev kaḥêleḇ kə·ḥê·leḇ keChelev kəḥêleḇ mê·ḥê·leḇ meChelev mêḥêleḇ ū·mê·ḥel·ḇê·hen umechelveHen ūmêḥelḇêhen veChelev vehachalaVim wə·ha·ḥă·lā·ḇîm wə·ḥê·leḇ wəhaḥălāḇîm wəḥêleḇ
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